Country legend Dolly Parton agreed to let producer Aniston use her classic songs and wrote six original numbers (including the Golden Globe-nominated "Girl in the Movies," co-written with Linda Perry). Further, the two became real-life girlfriends as well.

"I'm living out so many people's fantasy," says Aniston, 49, who has pulled through real-life drama this year after her high-profile, but amicable, divorce from husband Justin Theroux earlier this year. As she sits down with USA TODAY, Aniston is all bright smiles, especially after having Parton sign several album covers.

Question: Did I literally see you getting a Dolly Parton autograph?

Jennifer Aniston: Those are for my girlfriends. There’s a lot of Dolly worship out there. Not only have I been able to create something with her and sing with her, but I've even girlfriended with her. I'm humbled.

Q:You have a dog named Dolly?

Aniston: Yes, I do (proudly showing her iPhone wallpaper of a white shepherd). That’s her, she’s even blonde. When she was a teeny thing, she sat in my hand. I said, "You're just a little doll. You’re a little Dolly Parton." She's beautiful.

Aniston: It was so cute. Dolly the dog came up to her and sniffed her. And then Dolly went down to her. I have this sweet picture of them nose-to-nose.

Q:You've never done a beauty pageant. What would've been your talent?

Aniston: (Concentrates with eyes closed.) I don't know. I can't twirl a baton, can’t yodel, can’t tap dance. My talent would just be, well, nothing that would serve me in a beauty pageant. Unless you would let me do a monologue from a Neil Simon play.

Q:Rosie and her daughter (played by Danielle Macdonald) have a challenging relationship. How much did that go back to the relationship with your mother, Nancy Dow (who died in 2016)?

Aniston: "Dumplin’ " kicked up stuff for me about my mom and our relationship. It was definitely push-pull. My mom wasn’t doing anything intentional to damage any self-esteem of mine, as we discussed in our older years together. She was doing what she thought best. She wasn’t raised with great parental support. She was a beautiful, stunning girl and that’s how she made a living, modeling. She was teaching me what she thought was important. Which was how to look good. That wasn’t necessarily where my interests lay.

Aniston: It's based on an actual dress that Dolly wore. I felt pretty silly feeling wearing it, like a clown, in the best way. But it was perfect, showing Rosie throwing her control out the window and letting freedom come in.

Q: It’s the end of the year. Where’s your head at? And what are you looking forward to in 2019?

Aniston: First off, I cannot believe it’s already December. That’s outrageous. I’m excited for "Dumplin' " to come out. And I’m excited for 2018 to move on. It was the year of the dog. I don’t know if there’s one person you can come into contact with who wasn't like, 'This year can go (gesture) itself.' Know what I mean? A lot of people passing and a lot of endings that can only create room for new growth and new beginnings. That’s what I’m excited about.

Q: 2018 capped with California fires and angry politics.

Aniston: It’s biblical. We’re literally living in biblical times. But I feel like something has got to give.

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Jennifer Aniston is headed to Netflix, starring as a former beauty queen in "Dumplin'." To celebrate, here's a look at what she and the rest of the gang have been up to since their "Friends" days. Bob Mahoney, Netflix

Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey Tribbiani in the TV comedy series, was nominated for a Golden Globe for best performance by an actor for his work in "Friends." He attended the awards with his then-fiancee, Melissa McKnight, on Jan. 19, 2003. KIM D. JOHNSON, Associated Press

Here he is with Thomas Lennon during "The Odd Couple" panel as part of the CBS/Showtime Television Critics Association press tour on Jan. 12, 2015, in Pasadena, California. Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images